Staff photos/ 050414PHSGOF/ Craig's Nolan Moran sets his ball on the 12th green during the Ashenfelter Invitational at Riverside on 05/03/14./ Lassiter

Dan Lassiter/dlassiter@gazettext

Staff photos/ 050414PHSGO2/ Parker's John Milner watches his blind chip onto the raised green on 9 during the Ashenfelter Invitational on 05/03/14./ Lassiter

JANESVILLE—Hunter Pipik spent three years watching and waiting.

His older brother, Drew, has been part of a group that has helped Edgerton High's boys golf program grow into a perennial Division 2 state-title contender.

Now, with one year to play together at the high school level, the Pipik brothers are taking advantage of it. They've got their sights set on delivering a second state title in three years to Edgerton, and they took a step forward Saturday by winning the Ashenfelter Invitational.

The Pipiks, along with Brooks and Caleb Johnson (no relation), teamed up to shoot 315, the lowest score in either Division 1 or 2, at Riverside Golf Course.

“This is a lot of fun,” said Drew Pipik, who shot a team-best 4-over-par 76 to place third among D2 medalists. “My brother watched me for three years before he got his opportunity, and now he's getting it and making the most of it, I would say.

“Brooks isn't too happy about his round, but we played pretty well. I think we have the capability of shooting in the low 300s consistently.”

Marquette University High School took the Division 1 title, shooting 319 to beat Beloit Memorial by eight strokes. Beloit's Kolton Kelley successfully defended his Division 1 medalist title from a year ago, shooting a 74.

But the day belonged to the Crimson Tide, who saw all four golfers medal as top-10 finishers. Hunter Pipik shot a 79, while both Johnsons shot 80.

“It was nice to beat all the Division 1 teams, because the low score in this tournament is a big deal,” first-year Edgerton coach Mike Hesselman said. “They get competitive with each other, which helps the team. Every single one of them wants to be the low score on any day.”

That's certainly the case within the sibling rivalry.

The Pipiks moved to Edgerton from Racine eight years ago, and the Edgerton Country Club became their backyard. Drew and Hunter never took a lesson, according to their father Gary, but spent countless hours around the practice green.

“Dad wanted to get us involved, so he'd take us out there every weekend,” Hunter said. “We just started living on the golf course.”

“(Hunter) beat me for the first time a couple tournaments ago,” Drew said with a laugh. “So I heard about that one a little bit.

“But we're just trying to win tournaments (as a team), mainly. Maybe when we're in our 30s (Hunter and I) will play together and really duke it out there.”

Kelley repeats as champ

Kolton Kelley has a short-term memory.

The Beloit Memorial senior made three consecutive double bogeys Friday at his home tournament to shoot himself out of contention, and Kelley was in trouble again through 12 holes Saturday.

But he put the weekend struggles behind him, birdieing three of his final six holes to defend his Ashenfelter medalist title.

“Today was really interesting,” Kelley said. “I started the back nine with three bogeys, but finished my last six holes 3-under. I finished how I wanted to.

“It's basically just knowing you can do it. I have complete confidence that birdies are out there and opportunities are everywhere.”

Janesville teams see progress

Parker's Bob Eicher was happy enough that his first Ashenfelter tournament as head coach went smoothly.

It took a moment afterward to realize his Vikings placed sixth, shooting a 342—their lowest total of the year.

Senior John Milner, a state qualifier last year, shot a team-best 77. Bobby Wyss shot an 83.

“I was really happy with our scores,” Eicher said. “Sam Kisting, shooting a 93, he didn't play golf at all and is a senior this year. This is his first season, and that's been a wonderful addition.”

Janesville Craig shot 371, with Sawyer Hrycay participating in his first big tournament. Senior Nolan Moran fired an 81 for team low.

“I talked with Nolan when he got to 12 and I said, 'Why don't you par out?'” Craig assistant coach Dave Langowski said. “And that's exactly what he did.